Device for exhausting air from containers



July 27, 1937.

D. E. BAXTER DEVICE FOR EXHAUSTING AAIR FROM CONTAINERS Filed oct.y 27,

19:53A l 2 sheets-snaai 1 lJuly 27, 1937. D. E. BAXTER 2,087,963

DEVICE FOR EXHAUSTINGAIR FROM CONTAINERS Patented .July 27, 1931.

UNITED STATES CONTAINERS Donald E. Baxter; Los Angeles, Calif., assignor of one per cent to Don Baxter Intra-Venous Prod- I ,nets Corporation,

l Application 'october 21, 1933, serial No. 695,483

a corporation 4of Delaware 13 Claims. (Cl. 99-272) the closure of the container, and Fig. 6 is an en- This invention relates toadevice for exhausting air from containers, and it is a general object of. the invention to provide a simple, practical and effective device of this character.

In preserving uids such as intravenous solutions, and the like, it has been found that the fluids may be preserved indenitely by a process that includes the exhausting of the air from a container holding the iluid, and the sealing of the container. 'Ihe present invention relates to a device useful in connection with the carrying out of such a process, it being understood that references to this particular use of the invention is not to be considered as a restriction on its scope or application.

It is an object of Idevice for exhausting air fromcontainers that is particularly easy and convenient t'o operate.

Itis another object of the invention to pro-l vide adevlce for exhausting air from containers that is operable to quickly exhaust the air from.

j a container to create or produce a definite reduced pressure in the container.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device. for exhausting the air from containers ,that indicates the degree of vacuum produced in the containers and that may b e regulated to provide any`required or suitable rarecation of the air in the containers.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device for exhausting air from containers that does not move or shift the containers dui ng operation so that there is no tendency to spil or slop their contents. v

Other objects and features of the invention will be best and fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical form and application of the invention, throughout which description Vreference is had to the accompanyingr drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front elevation of the principal parts of the device showing them in the normal or unactuated positions. Fig. 2 is a vertical detailed sectional view of the device illustrating its parts in the operative positions during the exhaustion of air from a container. Fig. 3 is a transverse detailed sectional View taken as indicated by line 3--3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse detailed sectional view of the valve taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 3 showing the valve in a position Where the exible conduit or line is in communication with the atmosphere. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 illustrating the valve in the position where the reduced pressure line is in communication with the' member engaging this invention to provide a` larged vertical detailed sectional view taken as lndicated'by line 6 6 on Fig. 2.

The present invention is capable of being embodied in forms for rious characters and in forms for exhausting air from containers provided with various typesof closurecr sealing devices. Throughout the following detailed disclosure, I will describe a typical embodiment of the invention for exhausting air from containers provided with sealing or closure means of` the character fully described and claimed in my copending application entitled Closure for containers, led October 2'1, 1933, Serial Number 695,482.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be construed as restricted for use on containers having any .specific type of closure means, but is to be taken as including any features or modications that may fall within the'scope of the claims.

The device provided by the present invention includes, generally, a frame or body It, a member kII shiftably carried by the body I0 and operable to engage the closure of a container C, valve means I2 operable to put the member ii in communication with afreduced pressure line 'or vacuum line I3, means It for operating the member II into engagement with the closure of the container and for operating the valve I2, and

means it for regulating the vacuum or low p ressure drawn on the containers.r

The body III is provided to carry the various other parts of the device and may be varied in construction and proportions to adapt the device for use in various situations. In the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the body III includes a base I6 adapted to beA arranged or mounted on a suitable horizontal support I1. The base I6 is a simple, horizontally disposed member having a recess I8 in its forward edge for the reception of the container C. The recess I8 is shaped and positioned to properly align the-container C with themember il. The container C is adapted to be placed on the support I'l and positioned with its sides or exterior in engagement with the walls of the recess i8 as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings to have its closure means in position for engagement by the member ii. The bodyl Il) includes two upstanding rods or posts I9 projecting from the base I6. The posts I9 are spaced apart in parallel relation.

The member I I is shiftably carried by the body I0 to be movable into and out of cooperation with the closure of the container C. Before proceed-'- use with containers of va-` mounted on the body Ill'.

briefly describe the closure means provided on the container C as illustrated in thedrawings. The closure means ofthe container C includes a plug 20 of rubber, or the like, tightly fitted in the opening of the container. The plug 20 has two spaced openings one carrying anair inlet tube 2 I, and the other opening 22 having its end open at the top of the plug for the reception of a discharge tube. plug 20 is hat, and the upper portion of the plug seats on the end of the container neck. A valve member andvsealing member 24, in the form of a disc of flexible material, is arranged on the top 23 of the plug to normally cover the outer ends of the openings in the plug. The sealing disc 24 is considerably smaller in diameter than the top of the plug 2B so that the top of the plug has an annular exposed portion surrounding the-sealing disc. When there is a reduced pressure in the container C, the sealing member 24 is tightly held in its closed operative position by the atmospheric pressure. The member II is adapted to cooperate with the plug 20 and is carried by a cross head or carrier 25 for vertical movement into and out of engagement with the plug. The carrier 25 extends between and is vertically movable on the spaced posts I9. The carrier 25 is provided with openings for passing the posts I9 and has projecting guides or bearing bosses 26 for slidably engaging the posts. The carrier 25 may be substantially triangular in plane elevation `to have the posts I9 pass through openings adjacent two of .its apices. The closure engaging member II projects from the under side of the third apex or corner portion of the carrier 25. The member I I may be attachedto the carrier 25'in any practical manner. In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the member II is provided with a stem or boss 21 screwthreaded through a vertical opening Vin the carrier 25. In accordance with the invention, the member II is recessed in its lower side, being provided with a socket or recess 28. A central boss or projection 29 extends downwardly from the11pper wall of the recess 28. The lower end of the member II surrounding the recess 28 is c flat and is adapted to cooperate with the exposed annular portion of the top 23 of the plug 20. The projection 29 is proportioned so that its lower end isadapted to engage the sealing member 24 at a point between the openings in the plug 2U when the lower end of the member II is in pressural engagement with the upper end of the plug. The member I I is ported, having ports 30 extending from the recess 28 to a longitudinal opening 3| in the boss 21. A tting 32 in the form of a T is connected with the boss 21 for the purpose to be subsequently described.

The valve means I2 is operable to control the connection or communication of the socket 28 of the member II with the reduced pressure line I3. The means I2 includes a valve V attached to or In the typical form of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the valve V is carried by a collar 33 on one of .the posts I9. The body of the valve V hasa ported or tubular stern 34 threaded into an opening in the collar 33. The passage 34a in the stem 34 connects with a port 35 in the collar 33 which directly communicates with the atmosphere. The body of the valve V has two angularly related tubular projections 36 an'd 31. The projection 36 is spaced between and substantially normal to the projections 34 and 31. The reduced pressure line I3 is connected with the projection 31 The top or outer side 23 of the so that the port 31a in the projection forms the reduced pressure port of the valve V. A tube or ilexible conduit 33 extends from the projection 36 to the tting 32 so that the port 36a in the projection 36 is in communication with the re'- cess 28 of the closure engaging member II. The body of the valvevV has an opening carrying a rotatable plug 40. A circumferentially extending recess or port 4I is provided in the plug 4I). The port 4I is proportioned so that it is adapted to connect the port 36a with the port 34a or connectthe port 36B with the reduced pressure port The plug 40 is adapted to be turned Ain the manner to be subsequently described to put the recess 28 in communication with the low pressure port 31a, or the port 34a open to the atmosphere.

The means I4 for operating the member I I into engagement with the closure plug 2U and for controlling the valve means I2 is a manually actuated means that is operatable to move the memto put the' recess 28 in communication with thev reduced pressure line I3. The operating means I4 includes a shiftable or longitudinally movable operating stem 43. The stem 43 is slidable in aligned openings 44 in the base I6, and carrier 25 and passes through a suitable opening 'in the support I1 to project below the support. stem 43 may be vertical and may be centrally spaced between the posts I9 as illustrated in the drawings. The lower end of the operating stem 43 is connected with a pedal 46 or other equivalent manually operating part. form of the invention illustrated in the drawings, a chain 45 operatively connects the lower end of the operating stem 43 with a manually depressible pedal 46. The pedal 46 is preferably located to be accessible for operation by the operator handling the containers. A stop 41 may be provided to limit the downward movement of the pedal 46.

A yielding or lost motion connection is provided between the operating stem 45 and the carrier 25. A collar or projecting part 48 is provided on the stem 43 at a point above the carrier 25. A helical spring 49 surrounds the stem 43 and is arranged under compression between the part 48 and the upper side of the carrier 25. l

Downward movement of the stem 43 is transmitted to the carrier 25 by the spring 49, and when the member II is moved downward into engagement with the plug closure 20, the spring 49 is com-pressible to permit further downward t `the carrier 25 to normally hold the carrier in its up position. It will beI apparent how the spring 50 is operable to automatically return the carrier 25 to its up position after actuation to allow the container to be positioned under the member I I.

The operating means I4 includes an operative connection between the stem 43 and the valve V. The rotatable plug 40 of the valve V projects from an end ofthe valve body and carries a lateral projecting vlever 53. A link 54 is pivotally connected to the collar 5I and the lever 53 to operatively connect the 1.stem 43 with the plug 40 The .1

In the particular -of the valve.

The parts are proportioned and related so that the port 4l in the valve plug is not moved into register with the reduced vpressure port 3la until the member Il -has been operated downwardly into tight pressural engagement with the closure plug 20. 'I'he return of the stem I3 and carrier 25 to their normal positions by the spring 50 of course results in turning of the plug 40 back to its normal position where its part 40 communicates with the ports 34B and 36B.

The means I5 for regulating the vacuum drawn on the container C is adapted to be set or adjusted to provide for the drawing of any given vacuum or reduced pressure in the container. The `means I5 includes a relief valve having a. tubular body connected to the fitting 32 to be in communication recess 28. A cap or' plug 6| isthreaded into the body part 60 and is provided with a longitudinal opening S2. A valve seat 63 is provided on the lower end of the plug 6| around the opening 62. A valve stem 64 extends through the opening 62 and carriesa valve head 65 for cooperating with the seat G3 to normally prevent the entrance of air under atmospheric pressure body 6l). A grooved or fluted lguide 56 is provided on the valve stem 64 to slidably operate in the opening 62. A regulating nut 65 is screwthreaded on to the stem 64 at a point spaced from the plug 6l, and a spring 56 is arranged under compression between the nut 65 and the plug to normally hold the valve head 65 in its closed position. A suitable loci; nut 51 may be provided to set or retain the regulating nut 65 in its adjusted position. It will bey apparent how the atmospheric pressure acting on the outer side of the valve head 65 is adapted to overcome the ac' tion of the spring B and move the valve head to an open position when there is a pre-determined reduced pressure in the recess 28 and container C. The nut 65 may be easily adjusted to suitably regulate the action ofthe spring 66. A suitably calibrated gage l0 may be connected in the line or conduit A38 to indicate the partial vacuum or reduced'pressure in the 'conduit and recess 28. l

It is believed that the operation of the device provided by the present invention will be readily apparent from'the foregoing detailed description. The spring 50 normally holds position where the container arrangedon the support il below the member 'i i. The recess I8 *accuratelyl aligns or positions the lcontainer below the member Il.A Upon' the operator depressing the pedal 46, the downward movement imparted to the stem d3 is transmitted l'zo to the carrier 25 by the spring dg, causing the member i i to'be moved downwardly into engagement with the top of the closure plug ,29. After the member ll has come intoengagement with the closure plug 20, further downward movement of the stem d3 results in, compression of the spring 49, turning of the valve plug 40 and moving of its port 6l into register with the reduced pressure port 31a; Upon the-port M coming into register with the reduced pressure port 31a, the air is exhausted from the conduit 38 and the recess 28 so that the air under atmospheric pressure in the container C lifts the `iexible sealing member 2H.. This lifting or raising of the sealing member 24 of course attendsA the exhausting of the air from the container C. The projectionv29 of the member il engages thesealing member 24 at-a point between the openings in the closure plug to 'prevent displacement of the with the conduit 38 and the.

into the valve the carrier 25 in a- C may be readily When the proper or desired reduced pressure hasbeen drawn on the container C'as indicated by the gage or indicator 10, the pressure may be removed from the pedal 4B to allow the spring carrier 25 to their normal positions. The initial y upward movement of the stem 43, while it may relieve some of the compression on the spring 9, does not cause the member Il to be unseated from the closure plug 2li but results in turning of l the valve plug 40 to the position where its port di communicates with the port 3H which is open to the atmosphere, thus putting the recess 28 in communication with thel atmosphere. The atmospheric pressure admitted to the recess 28 of 1 course tightly forces the sealing member 2li downwardly against the end 23 of the closure plug 20 to effectively seal off theupper ends of sealing member.

`the openings in the plug. Further upward movemay be apparent to those skilled in the art or 45 fall within the scope of the following claims. Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A device for exhausting the air from a container having a closure with an opening, said device including, .a member movable into engage- 5 ment with the closure, the member having a recess in its closure engaging surface to register with the opening in therclosure, a conduit communicating with the recess, a valve operatable to control the connection of the conduit with a 5 reduced pressure line, operating means for moving the member into engagement with the closure and for operating the valve, and adjustable means for admitting atmospheric pressure to said 50 to return the stem 43 and 5 ment ofthe st em 43 by the spring 5U brings the 2,0

stop 52 into engagement with the carrier 25 and moves the member l I out of engagement with the closure plug 2o.' In the event that an excessively low pressure is drawn on the container C when the recess 23 is in communication with the low 2 pressure supply line, the valve head 65 opens under the influence of atmospheric pressure so that the reduced pressure is automatically relieved. It willbe apparent how the nut 65 may be suitably adjusted to operation of the reliefl means or regulating means, and to provide for the drawing of a, uniform or equal reduced pressure on a multiplicity of containers successively handled in the device. The device p-rovided by the present invention is 3 particularly simple and inexpensive of manu--A facture, and greatly facilitates the preservation of fluids held in containers under a Vacuum or reduced pressure.

Having described only a typical form plication of my invention, I do not wish to be restricted or limited tothe specific-form or invention herein described', but desire to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that provide for the desired 30 and ap- 40 recess upon the desired reducedpressure being 0 provided in the container. f

2. A device for exhausting the air from a container having a closure with an opening, said device including, a member movable into engagement with the closure, the member having a re- G cess in the closure engaging surface to register lwith the opening in the closure, a conduit communicating with the recess, a valve operatable to control the connection of the conduit with a reduced pressure line, operating means 'for mov- 7 ing the member into engagement with the closure and for operating the valve, and a normally closed valve operatable to admit atmospheric pressure 'to the recess.

3. A device for exhausting the air from a con- 7i tainer having a closure with an opening, said device including, a member movable into engagement with the closure, the member having a recess in its closure-engaging surface to register with the opening in the closure, a conduit communicating with the recess, a valve operable to control the connection of the conduit with a reduced pressure line, operating means for moving the member into engagement with the closure and for operating the valve, and means for admitting atmospheric pressure to said recess upon the desired reduced pressure being provided in the container. i

4. A device for exhausting the air from a container equipped with an opening, said device including, a member movable. into engagement with the closure, the member having a recess in the closure-engaging surfaceA to register with the opening in the closure, a conduit communicating with the recess, valve means operable to control the connection of the conduit with a reduced pressure line and to control the connection thereof with atmospheric pressure, operating means for moving the member into engagement with the closure and foroperating the valve, and means for operating said valve means for rst disconnecting said conduit with said reduced pressure line and immediately thereafter connecting said conduit with atmospheric pressure.

5. A device for exhausting the air from a container having a closure with at least two openings therein, said device including,- a member movable toward said container to provide a sealed chamber about the closure thereof, a flexible seal extending over said openings, a projection carried by said member and adapted to press said exible seal against said closure at a point between said openings when said member is vmoved toward said closure, and valve means for putting said chamber in communication with a-reduced pressure line.

6. .A device for exhausting the air from a container having a closure with at least two openings, said device including a member movable toward said `container to provide therewith a sealed chamber about said closure, a flexible seal extending over said openings, a projecting device f carried by said member and adapted to press said iiexible seal against said closure when said member is moved toward said container, and valve,

means for putting said chamber in communication with a reduced pressure line.

7.. In combination with a container having an opening therein, a closure for said opening, said closure being provided with two openings therethrough, and a exible sealing member'engaging' -the outer facel of said closure and extendingv over said openings, a itting provided with a recess adapted to extend over said closure and about said sealingmember, means placing the interior l of said recessed fitting in communication with a reduced-pressure conduit, and means carried by said tting for locking a' portion of said sealing member directly against said closure.

8. 'I'he combination of claim '7, characterized in that said locking means comprises an abutment engaging said flexible sealing member at a point between the two openings of said closure.

9. In combination with a container having an opening therein, a closure for said opening, said closure being provided with two openings therethrough, a exible sealing member engaging the outer face of said closure and extending over said openings, a'tting having a recess adapted to extend over said closure and about said sealing member, means carried by said tting and engaging a portion of said flexible member, and means for alternately subjecting the interior of said tting to sub-atmospheric and atmospheric pressures. 10. A device for exhausting the air from a container having a closure with an opening, said device including, a member movable toward said closure to providea reduced-pressure chamber about said closure, a conduit communicating with said chamber, a valve operable to control the connection of said chamber with areduced pres-- sure line, operating means for moving the mem-- ber toward said closure and for operating said valve, and afnormally closed valve operable to admit atmospheric pressure to said chamber.

11. Apparatus for evacuating a container, the

4container having an opening therein and a closure for said opening, said closure being provided with two openings, the container also having a flexible sealing member engaging the outer face of said closure and extending over said openings, said evacuating apparatus comprising: a

fitting provided with a recess adapted to extend over saidA closure and to provide an air-tight chamber about said closure .and sealing member, means placing the interior of said recessed fitting in communication with a reduced-pressure conduit, and means carried by said fitting for releasably locking the central portion of said sealing member directly against said closure.

12. The apparatusof claim 11, characterized in that said locking means comprises an abutmeritadapted to engage the central portion of said ilexible sealing4 member and to lock it against,

said closure at a point between the two openings of said closure.

13. Apparatus for evacuating a container, the container having an opening therein anda closure for said opening, said closure being provided With a plurality of openings spaced arrart,A

the container having also a flexible sealing member engaging the outer face of said closure and extending over said openings, said evacuating apparatus comprising:v a tting provided with a provide an air-tight chamber about said closure and sealing member, means for'placing the intion of said sealing member between at least two of said openings directly against said closure. Y

DONALD E. BAXTER.

lrecess adapted to extend over said closure' and to. l 

